Jul 11 2006
Immigrants In Our Military
Updates Below The Fold
One thing I think unites Americans is that immigrants are a general positive and help us in amazing, and sometimes humbling, ways. I remember to this day being surprised that immigrants could fight in our military. For some dumb reason it never occurred to me that the military only cared about the worth and efforts of a person, not their native passport. The military does a lot of things right (including training some of our best citizens). So this news about Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen Peter Pace getting choked up when he recalled his immigrant past (being a first generation American) it reminded me of what we need to be looking at as we pull together and make some headway on immigration:
Pace was explaining his family’s origins to the committee and the opportunities he and his three siblings enjoyed in America when he lost his composure, much to the surprise of the 150 people gathered in the hearing room and to the five senators, who sat riveted as the general paused.
After he composed himself, Pace described his older sister, who went to law school, and his older brother, who, like himself, attended the Naval Academy and was a Marine.
“There is no other country on the planet that affords that kind of opportunity to those who come here,” Pace concluded. The audience burst into applause.
Pace’s father was born in Italy in 1914, immigrated to the United States and became an electrician in New York City, raising four children there. The first Marine to be named chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Pace has been chairman since September 2005 after serving as vice chairman for four years.
America is one of the few places where your origins do not matter (though some elites on the left would like to change that with their new group-think ideology) and people can become whatever their will can explore. As I have said many times, the country needs to come together, fix the issues with the Senate Bill while keeping its essential elements. One area to fix is the booting of real criminals who commit felonies, the one-strike-your-out proposal I have been looking for. But there is a second ‘fix’ to consider. There should be a faster track to citizenship for any immigrants who serve in combat positions within our military. There may already be such a clause, but I myself would find it hard to resist a request for citizenship from anyone who went overseas and put their life on the line to protect all of us back here.
I add this to the recent call made by 33 prominent conservatives for unity on this subject.
In an opinion article published in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, 33 prominent conservatives argued that only a sweeping “combination package” of legislation — one that includes tougher border enforcement as well as new ways for immigrants to work legally in the United States — will allow the GOP to retain its status as a party that leads on important issues.
“In many respects, the way we position ourselves on immigration will determine whether we retain the mantle of majority leadership,” the article states. “What side of history do conservatives want to be on?”
The authors of the article includes Jack Kemp, the Republicans’ 1996 nominee for vice president; George P. Shultz, secretary of state under President Reagan; Jeanne Kirkpatrick, a former US ambassador to the United Nations; Grover Norquist, the president of Americans for Tax Reform; and Steve Forbes, a former presidential candidate.
That is one impressive list of people (here is the original piece). And there are more I am sure. They make a good point. But in the end it is either a comprehensive package that will pass the Senate and Bush’s desk, or nothing because it is held up in the House. Those are the only solutions out there. Fix it or fail.
The ‘hardliners’ (so named because they resist compromise, not because of any deroguatory reasons) on the right need to look at what they have accomplished and consider their positions. They have not accomplished anything. The resistence to their views has increased and solidified to the point they had to derail legislation to hold back any solutions. They complain about issues in the Senate Bill but have not proposed and won support for fixes. Instead they decided to hold hearings in the dead of summer on an issue that is well understood. If the polls do not move in their direction (and they probably will not), those resisting a comprehensive solution with a guess worker program need to understand the only thing holding up fixes to the border and better security is them. There comes a time when you just have to fold a bad hand. No amount of shuffling the cards will make it any better.
State lawmakers approved a measure late Monday that would force a million people receiving state or federal aid to verify their citizenship, part of a package of bills dealing with illegal immigration that Democrats called the toughest in the nation.
The measure would deny most non-emergency state benefits to illegal immigrants 18 years old and older – forcing people to prove legal residency when applying for benefits or renewing their eligibility. The measure passed the state Senate 22-13 and the House 48-15. Both are controlled by Democrats.
It mirrors the Wilson proposal in California which led to that state turning hard Democrat. In this case it was a Democrat legislation that passed it with Republicans wishing for more draconian measures, so it will not be the same as California. But it will be interesting to see how this is received when people are dumped off the safety net and have no place to go. It is always good to test things in states before making them national policies. I hope the good people of Colorado are ready for this heady experiment. Note that the end result is not documented workers with background checks making a legal living here. The end result is a large underground community which must now go further into the shadows to eak out a living, and be exploited by people who are willing to provide support – for a price. My guess is crime is about to sky rocket in Colorado. But I could be wrong. More here from a local paper. It has a great history on attempts to control human exodus, something that is very, very hard to do – like trying to stop the flow of water with sand.
According to the most recent Tarrance Group survey, 75% of likely GOP voters support immigration reform that combines increased border and workplace enforcement with a guest-worker system for newcomers and a multiyear path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already here–provided that they meet certain requirements like living crime free, learning English and paying taxes. “Support for this plan,” the poll found, “is strong even among base Republican voter demographics like strong Republicans (77%), very conservative Republicans (72%), white conservative Christians (76%), and those who listen to news talk radio on a daily basis (72%).”
It is still running 70-80% against 20-30%. These numbers are solidifying now and show no tendency to move (unless people ask vague questions).
Again AJ tries to tug at our hearts with stories like Gen. Pace’s parents (LEGAL immigrants) and (LEGAL) immigrants who serve in our nation’s military. Nor does AJ bother to tell us that in order to join the U.S. military in the first place, the immigrant must have LEGAL status. But perhaps AJ does have a point about the military. Perhaps we could put into the Amnesty Bill that all those who wish to stay and acheive the American dream must show their desire to assimilate by doing a 4 year hitch in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard with the knowledge that immediately after basic training they will be deployed to Iraq. Or is it just native born and LEGALLY immigrating Americans that should be willing to go to war with an enemy that would slit AJ’s throat if given a chance?
And to solidify his argument, AJ points out to the 33 “conservatives” who argue for a “combination package”. Yet he does not mention the 35 conservatives who signed an open letter to the President advising “enforcement first”. This band of 35 was comprised of racists such as Ward Connerly, Victor David Hanson, Fred Ikle, Andy Ramirez, Thomas Sowell and Shelby Steele.
You were not very balanced on that reporting, AJ.
And AJ is upset that there are hearing being held during the summer for the Congress to get a “feel” of how the American citizenry really feels about the Shamnesty Bill. How dare they. When our own President refuses to meet with the Border Country Sheriff’s Coalition, not once but twice, because he really doesn’t want to hear what they have to say about the realities of illegal immigration in their counties that border Mexico, how dare the Congress be open to these people who are on the front lines of the War of Invasion.
And the audacity of Colorado trying to prevent illegals from garnering benefits that they are not legally entitled to. The inhumanity of it all. Yet, that was the recommondation of that famous racist, Barbara Jordan, in 1995. Perhaps Ms. Jordan just didn’t understand that the American people do not mind having their hospitals close due to the fact that illegals use them for doctor’s offices for everything from a stubbed toe to delivering their anchor babies or having their taxes rapidly increase to cover the costs of their schools that are experiencing a hugh influx of non-English speaking students.
AJ wants us to act in good faith, giving a path to citizenship to those who did not show good faith when they broke our laws by entering our nation illegally. He would have us believe the mantra “they are just here to work” while he ignores the research that estimates there are 240,000 illegal sex offenders who have crossed our borders. He would tell us “they are doing the jobs that American’s won’t do” yet never tells us that illegals comprise only 25% of farm workers. Who is doing the other 75%? Illegals are 34% of all sheet rockers? Who makes up the other 66%? R2D2 and company?
AJ contents that without a “comprehensive” bill, we have no law. But we do have laws on the books already and we should enforce them. We should heed Barbara Jordan’s advise and when the dust is settled, we will know who is willing to assimilate into our culture (and flying the American flag in a sign of distress under the Mexican flag does not qualify) and who is not. The ones who are willing to abide the laws of a nation governed by rule of law are the keepers. The rest need to leave.
Retire05, I am not tugging at your heart! I am exposing your crassness. Thanks for helping! I can always rely on you to go over the top and do a Chicken Little dance! 😉
AJStrata
AJ, and just where did I “go over the top”? Where did I state anything that is not fact? Do you disagree with the number of illegal sex offenders that have entered our nation? Or was it that you think I am wrong on the military requirement that a immigrant be legal before entering service? Or maybe you disagee that since 25% of all farm workers are illegals, someone else (i.e. legals) must be doing the other 75% of the jobs?
Chicken dance? No, I don’t think so, AJ. A family tradition was started to take a stand and repel the invading hoards who would destroy a Constitution and eliminate such things as trial by jury and taxation without representation. That stand is celebrated every March 6th.
It is you who is pandering to the will of the illegal. Not me. Are you a closet member of La Raza?
LOL! So now the constitution will disappear if there is a guest worker program?? And you ask how you are over the top?? Too funny.
AJ I hear this repeated often and as a lifetime California resident have to disagree. Prop 187 had nothing to do with California turning Democrat. A pathetic Republican party did.
Californians were angry about 187 being overturned and would vote for it again today by a simliar margins (well over 60%).
I think we agree on just about everything else concerning immigration 8)
AJ, are you bucking for moonbat? Did I say “our” Constitution will disappear? No, I did not. And if you knew anything about me you would know I was not referring to “our” Constitution to begin with. But the mear fact that you chose to ignore our laws to apppease the illegals flies in the face of our Consitution. I am sorry you have to take to spinning to assert your point.
So there are ten to fifteen million La Raza members in this country fixing to “destroy a Constitution and eliminate such things as trial by jury and taxation without representation [sic]”? I doubt it.
At any rate, I believe AJ brought this up because there do seem to be some people, not necessarily anybody who posts here and not necessarily any of the names mentioned in this thread so far, but some people, on the fringes of the anti-illegal-immigration movement who do seem to want to halt ALL immigration, or to round up and deport millions of Mexicans. Just because AJ objects to such positions does not make him one of La Raza.
Sheesh.
Thanks Karig, well said.
Cheers, AJStrata
Well sais aj and Karig.
Let me say this to retire. You said”We should heed Barbara Jordan’s advise and when the dust is settled, we will know who is willing to assimilate into our culture (and flying the American flag in a sign of distress under the Mexican flag does not qualify) and who is not. The ones who are willing to abide the laws of a nation governed by rule of law are the keepers. The rest need to leave”
Heavens, have you looked at the proposal. Under propsals I have seen a illegal must wait 12 to 15 years before he can become an AMerican Citizen. During that time he has to keep steady employment as much as possible, pay taxes, learn english, keep his nose clean etc. Isn’t that enough time for the dust to settle. I mean 12 to 15 years!!! Hey if you want to throw in a THousand hours of community service go ahead, I would have no objection. You know it is funny how these mexican’s are held to such a high standard that the rest of our immigrant forebears were not. I often hear they just want to escape poverty they really don’t care about American values. May I humbly suggest that the many Irish that came here could not have met your “value” test as to entry.
Retire05
I’m not saying anything, I’ve been enjoying it. Nobody seems to be able to respond sensibly to what you said. They just talk all around it, attribute to you all kinds of things you didn’t say, and then argue with you about what you didn’t say in the first place.
It’s actually funny. Just maintain your position since you are the only one that even seems to understand what you are talking about.